The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1887-01-05
Washinglon's Death AMI Obseluies.

After Washingtons retirement to
Mount Vernon he busted himself with
his farming interests, and during the
last few weeks of his life he was occu-
pied devising a system for the manage
ment of his estates. "My great concern"
he said at the time, ''is to have all these
concerns in such a clear and distinct
form thlt no reproach can attach itself
to me when I have taken my departure
for the land of spirits" This system OF
farm management was intended for his
overssers. 1t was written out on thirty
folio pages, and completed December 10,
1899.
The next day there was mud and rain,
and Washington noted in his diary that
at night there was large circle round
the moon. The morning of the 18th
was overcast. That morning he wrote
a long letter to Hamilton--the last he
ever wrote--in regard to O. plan for a
military academy. About 10 o'clock he
started on horseback to make his usual
round of his farms. Soon after noon it
began to snow, and then turned to cold
rain. Notwithstanding the inclemency
of the heather he continued to ride on,
and did not return to his house until
after 3. Wh"n his secretary, MIR. Lear,
expressed the fear that he was wet, he
answered no, his great coat had kept him
dry, and sat down to dinner without
changing his dress.
The night was very stormy one, and
the next morning he complained of q
sore throat. In the evening he was
hoarse, but in spite of his hoarseness he
occasionally read passages aloud to his
secretary and Mrs. Washington from the
newspapers which had been brought in
from the posto fce When urged to take
some medicine before retiring he replied {:
"No: you know Inever take anthing for
cold. Let it 60 as it came."
That night he became extremely ill
he had severe chill and experienced
much difficulty in breathing. But he
would not allow the household to be dis
turbed until morning. Then gargle
was prepared for his throat, but in the
attempt to apply it he was almost suffo-
Gated. A servant was dispatched to Al
exandria for DR.. Craik, and in the mean
time he was bled by one of his ove:seers.
DR.. Craik arrived about nine O'Clock and
later in the day two other physicians were
called. All the efforts of the doctors to
relieve him were unavaiing, ard between
ten and eleven o'clock that night he died.
Mrs Washington sat at the foot OF the
foot of the bed watching him when his
spirit passed away. us he gone" she
asked, IN q calm tone. DR.. Cralk was
unable to speak. but held up his hand
a a signal that Washington was dead.
"It is WELL" said the grand old dame.
Gail is now over. I shall soon follow
him." Washington expired without q
struggle or sigh. From the first he be-
lieved the attack would prove fatal and
during the day frequently gave express
sion to the feeling or resignation with
which he met his erd.
The r,mains of the Father of his
Country were buried in the family vault
at Mount Vernon on the :th of Decem-
ber The rubbish had been cleared away
from the entrance to the tomb and door
made to close the vault, which be ore
had been closed with brick. A schooner
was placed in the river to fire minute
guns and there were eleven pieces Of can
non in the funeral procession, which be-
gan to move about three o'clock. The
Virginia militia formed the escort, then
came the Generals horse, with his sad
die, holsters and pistol, led by two
grooms in black. The body was borne by
Free Masons from the A exaudra Lodge.
Washington's family and personal friends
followed, the corporation of Alexandria
and people closing the procession. The
Rev. Mr.. Davis read the funeral service
and made short address, after which;
the Masonic ceremony SWas~perf formed
and the body paced in the'yault 50
The scenes at Washington Adeath bed
and at his obsequies were chafaetefhed
by that grandeur of simplicity which
was marked feature in Washington's
character. Chaca % NeUS.